The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is taking action against fare evasion on the New York City subway system by implementing AI-powered surveillance software. According to a report by NBC News, the MTA revealed in a fare evasion report that the tracking software was being used at seven undisclosed subway stations and eight physical fare barriers in May 2023. The plan is to expand the software’s use to approximately two dozen more stations by the end of the year and continue expanding beyond that.
Fare evasion has resulted in significant financial losses for the MTA. In 2022, it is estimated that the authority lost $285 million due to fare evasion. The report did not specify the name of the third-party tracking software being utilized, but MTA spokesperson Joana Flores confirmed that the software was developed by Spanish AI developer AWAAIT. The software is capable of detecting fare evaders and sending photographs to the smartphones of nearby station agents, as shown in AWAAIT’s promotional video. However, AWAAIT declined to comment on the matter.
The MTA claims that the fare evasion-detecting software is primarily being used as a counting tool to determine the number of riders avoiding fares and the methods they are using to elude the turnstiles. Initial tests of the system have already provided valuable data. According to the MTA’s report, fare evasion is most prevalent between 3 and 4 PM, coinciding with school dismissals. Walking through emergency gates was found to be the most popular method of evasion, accounting for over 50 percent of recorded cases. The software captures videos through the transit system’s 10,000 surveillance cameras, which are stored on the MTA’s servers for a limited period of time.
AWAAIT promotes its software as a tool that can help create optimized ticket inspection routes and intercept fare evaders in real-time. The AI-powered surveillance system currently does not report fare evaders to law enforcement, but it is unclear if this may change in the future. The MTA has not clarified the possibility, and the police spokesperson declined to comment when approached by NBC News.
Over the past year, the number of police officers stationed in NYC subway stations has increased, resulting in a higher rate of fare evasion-related arrests. However, these increased enforcement measures have had a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic riders. According to the NYPD’s fare evasion data for Q4 2022, these groups accounted for 93 percent of arrests. In 2020, the New York state attorney general investigated the agency over allegations of discriminatory targeting of people of color in fare evasion enforcement.
Cracking down on fare evasion is crucial for the MTA due to the significant financial losses it incurs. In 2022 alone, the authority lost $690 million to fare evasion across subway, bus, and other public transport services. This amount is considerable, especially considering the MTA’s current debt of $48 billion. The funds lost to fare evasion could be better used to address this debt, as well as invest in motorized plexiglass fare gates that prevent riders from circumventing turnstiles without paying.
In conclusion, the MTA’s decision to utilize AI-powered surveillance software to track fare evaders on the New York City subway system is a proactive measure to combat significant financial losses. By expanding the use of this software, the authority aims to curtail fare evasion and gather valuable data to address this issue effectively. However, concerns regarding potential discriminatory targeting and the involvement of law enforcement in dealing with fare evaders remain unresolved. It is essential for the MTA to ensure that the implementation of this software is fair and just, taking into account the diverse population of subway riders in New York City.
